sound question what is PCM 48

[dbiggs]

I have a suround reciever that auto detects the sound stream it gets and it tells me that it is PCM 48 and shows me that it is decoding sterio with a Sub woffer channel and I was wondering what PCM 48 is. The source is my satalite reciever also it says that when I watch a show or a DVD in 5.1 it tells me it is decoding dolby digital 3/2.1. Anyway I just thought some of you guys may be able to tell me what these mean.

[thecoalman]

PCM is uncompressed audio, 48 would be 48khz. PCM 48khz audio is a standard DVD audio format but is not used much because of the space. Most professional discs and consumer software opt for AC3 which is high quality compressed audio.


Look in the glossary for a better definition.

[Gillies]

im guessing the 3/2.1 is 3 speakers in the front, 2 in the back and the sub. although it could be a disc in 3.1 or 2.1. check ur output settings on ur dvd player and sat.

[Nilfennasion]

Gillies:

I means a 5.1 soundtrack. The 3/2.1 bit is used by some DVD players to indicate three fronts, two rears, and of course the LFE channel. Why some players use this notation instead of just 5.1, I do not know. Confusing the consumer seems to be a marketing strategy.